Liberty Volleyball Announces Pair of Signings

(L-R): Susan Babcock and Nzea McQuitrey signed national letters of intent to attend Liberty, beginning in the 2013-14 school year.

Liberty volleyball head coach Shane Pinder and his coaching staff have announced the addition of two middle blockers to the Lady Flames' 2013 roster. Susan Babcock and Nzea McQuitery, both from North Carolina, have signed national letters of intent to attend Liberty for the 2013-14 academic year.

"We're excited about both additions to the program," Pinder said. "With Loren Thomas graduating, we are bringing in two middles. It gives us great depth in the middle, which we haven't had at that position in the last few years."

Susan Babcock (MB, 6-3, Pfafftown, N.C.) Susan Babcock joins the Lady Flames following a successful career at Ronald Reagan High School. During her career, she helped her team win three straight conference and tournament championships. She was a two-time all-conference selection, including CAP-8 Conference Player of the Year honors in 2012. Babcock was named Flow Athlete of the Week this past year.

Babcock's most recent club volleyball experience came with the Triangle Club in Raleigh, N.C., making their highest team as a senior. She previously played for SetPoint and Piedmont Volleyball Clubs. Her older sister, Meghan, is a sophomore on Liberty's swimming team.

"Susan is a really athletic kid for her size," said Pinder. "She's a great blocker, and is going to be a great addition to our program in terms of size, speed and athleticism. We're really excited about what she's going to bring to the net in terms of physicality and ability to end plays right away. She's a kid that has really bought into our vision, and is going to make an immediate impact on our roster."

"Susan's skill improvement over the past four years has been remarkable," said George Folger, head volleyball coach at Reagan High School. "Susan is very passionate about volleyball and will make an immediate impact at Liberty."

Nzea McQuitery (MB, 6-3, Raleigh, N.C.) Nzea McQuitery was a three-year letterwinner during a standout career at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, N.C. She was named CAP-8 All-Conference as a junior and senior. McQuitery received the Outstanding Offensive Player Award and CAP-8 Academic Achievement Award during 2011.

McQuitery played for CCVC Club for two seasons and spent four years playing for Club Red.

"Nzea is 6-3, with long arms," noted Pinder. "She's an explosive jumper and is very athletic. She has the ability to explode from pin to pin with a lot of speed. Nzea is going to impact the roster from a blocking standpoint, and has a really big upside offensively. She's a great slide attacker and can hit first-tempo balls really well. When she's in motion, she's really good because of her speed."

"Nzea is an awesome young lady," said Coach Rita Stubbs of Club Red Volleyball. "I am excited that all of her hard work has paid off. She will be in full control of her destiny."

When Babcock and McQuitery enter Liberty next fall, they will be joining the two-time defending Big South tournament champions and six-time defending conference regular-season champions. Liberty (25-7) won its conference-record seventh Big South volleyball title on Sunday, downing Coastal Carolina in the championship match.

The Lady Flames have qualified for the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. The full bracket will be announced on Sunday at 4 p.m., with the selection special aired nationally on ESPNU.